LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — The city of Lexington could ban no knock-warrants. They're proposing an ordinance that would prohibit police from using them.
A few months ago, state legislation was passed, limiting no-knock warrants but not banning them completely. The topic took over headlines after the killing of Breonna Taylor. Now the city of Lexington is reviewing an ordinance that deals directly with no-knock warrants.
"I believe Senate Bill 4 gave us guidance in regards to warrants statewide. But we have the opportunity to locally draft an ordination that actually addresses some of the issues that have been raised by some of the folks in our community," Chair of the Planning and Public Safety Committee, James Brown, said.
The proposed ordinance in Lexington follows the state's limiting of no-knock warrants and takes it a step further by issuing a total ban for the city. During the planning and public safety committee meeting, Brown, said this ordinance gives them an opportunity to protect citizens and police officers.
But Chief of Police Lawrence Weathers disagrees.
"In the past, yes, they may have been served just to gather evidence. But that's not why they're served. They're issued strictly for the safety and protection of the people on both sides of the door. Those are the things we need to look at," Chief Weathers explained. "I don't care about the evidence in there. I care about getting my people in there safely and securing the location."
The Planning and Public Safety Committee voted to move the draft to be presented to the full city council. If the ordinance is passed, no-knock warrants would be banned as of July 1st; the same date Lexington police officers will all have body cameras.
